Musing about the real world

By James Bickford

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Fellow Santa Clarans, I am afraid to announce that your senior class is getting very close to departing.

We have now experienced the last spring break, the last spring flings and the last dose of true freedom in our Bronco careers.

Many people have asked me throughout the years, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Kindergarten through eighth grade, I would have responded that I wanted to be an astronaut. In high school, I wanted to be a fighter pilot. Now that I am in college, I have a much more mature response to the question.

Now, all I want to be is a surf bum that hangs out on the beach with occasional trips to the mountains for hiking and skiing.

The only problem with this concept is its unfortunate disconnect from reality. I am not scared of the real world. I am quite capable of charging head-first into the cubicle-dwelling lifestyle of a modern engineer. What I am really scared of is not being able to live up to my Santa Clara education.

I feel a burden in living up to the responsibilities that come with a degree from this institution.

I feel charged with upholding the morals and virtues of Santa Clara beyond these walls. I feel charged with changing the world for the better, whether that be by working toward social justice or simply bettering the lives of people around me.

I feel the burden of tackling the problems of the world head-on.

I also feel incredibly lucky. I feel that I have not only received an education, but also been formed into a whole person.

This school has taught me much more than combustible data; it has formed me into a human being.

During my studies at Santa Clara, I have found out who I am.

I have found my passion, and I have put myself on a path to change the world in my own way.

Something I was not expecting to discover is the meaning of true friendship, community and love. After four years of living the ups and downs of these three things, I feel comfortable that I understand their value in creating a whole person.

I can truly say that I have amazing friends, that I know what a vibrant community feels like, that I have experienced true love and am indeed in love.

When someone asks me what I want to do with my life this quarter, the easy response will be "to live up to my Santa Clara education."

To the senior class, don't forget to enjoy this quarter.

This is a quarter of celebration. Celebrate being a Bronco. And to those non-seniors, remember that your time will come, and much too soon.

James Bickford is a senior mechanical engineering major.